Mar Hotel Alimuri

We’ve taken a few minutes to give a fair and balanced review that we hope will give anyone who reads the review a good overview of the positives and negatives (yes there are both). What we’ve tried to do is put headings on the review in no particular order beyond the one they came to mind as we thought about our holiday. Flight transfers from Naples to the hotel: A very busy arrivals area with all the various holiday firms. Not too difficult to find out a Tui person (light blue tops with Tui logo) who gave clear instructions where to go next. Once out of the airport the second Tui person gave less clear guidance on where to find the transfer coach. If with Tui – keep walking to the end of the pathway (covered by a black sun shield all the way along except when crossing a road (watch out the drivers are a little inpatient and like to use their horns). Caution – this is a longer than expected walk for anyone with mobility issues. Once on the bus – very organised and the transfer takes just over an hour or so. Once at the hotel – we were greeted by a number of porters who took our suitcases up the short stairway to the reception desk and waited further instructions in as much as what room number to take our bags too. Very good first impressions. Room(s) We stayed in room 246 on the second floor (two lifts always working so easy to get around the hotel if you don’t fancy the stairs) and then after a couple of days – and for no reason other than we had heard the hotel had some suites – we asked for an upgrade and paid the difference and had room 216. We moved our belongings ourselves. Much better view and with Jacuzzi! Rooms are cleaned and tidied everyday – tiled floors throughout and pleasant decoration throughout hotel. That said the rooms and indeed the rest of the hotel (communal areas, we cant confirm for all rooms albeit when passing them if a cleaner was working it did appear) follows a nautical theme – quite nice and clearly referencing the fact the hotel it right on the sea front – but having been built in the last forty years or so (we recon) the maintenance is where things get a little less than perfect. Who ever has been freshening the paintwork needs to take of the blind fold as the paint is everywhere – for example well over an inch beyond where it should have stopped – but at least the décor has been attempted – trying to keep it fresh if possible. I’m no perfectionist (well maybe a little) but masking tape or a steadier hand when painting would be desirable. The rooms have a kettle and a fridge and a safe with standard supply of toiletries – replenished daily / as required. Both rooms we had have lovely sea views – albeit there are some at the back so make sure to ask for a sea view. Dining: We had half board and both breakfast and evening meal are buffet – so no chance of going hungry. Ignore any reviews stating food is not good – it is good to very good with some standard dishes repeated daily and then variants to allow

The hotel would have been 4 star in its hey day, and the pluses are that the staff were brilliant, the decor is classic Italian and very well kept. The food was okay, not awful but not fabulous, the outdoor pool was tiny and the indoor pool and spa have gone. The private beach is literally a slip of space between ropes for the hotel users, but the rest was for the public users that can use the sun loungers rented from the snack bar on the front so not really very private. In fact lots of locals using the beach and sea in front of hotel. (We didn’t mind that as why shouldn’t they? but not sure why they call it private, because it’s definitely not) The air conditioning was fantastic as was the free Wi-Fi, the hotel shuttle bus was great and super cheap. The drinks from the bar were pricey e.g €8 for 400ml beer and the evening entertainment was geared towards an older generation. I would recommend for older couples but we had a great time getting out and about anyway.

We stayed with another couple here towards the end of May. We were given two rooms which were quite small, facing the street but when both asked for upgrades we were given a gorgeous ocean view room with a balconet, and a ocean view balcony room. The rooms were incredibly clean and our balconet room was quite modern compared to the previous room we had before upgrading. The hotel overall was lovely and clean but a little dated, still nice however. Staff were very helpful and kind. We had breakfast every day and it was really nice, a lot of choice from fried breakfasts, an omelette station, cereals, fruits and pastries. The pool is small but works for how much you use it but there is a beach right behind the hotel. The hotel is a short walk/car journey from the centre of sorrento and the hotel has a shuttle bus to get to and from. We really enjoyed our stay here and the location was great.

On arriving at the hotel we were informed that we had been given an upgrade. We were allocated a suite with a four poster bed, with a large balcony overlooking the bay of Naples. It was fabulous. Being vegetarians, we are always apprehensive regarding what the food will be like. We need not have been concerned. There was plenty of choice and the food was excellent quality. All the staff, from reception, waiters and cleaners were lovely. Everyone was really pleasant and helpful. We couldn't fault this hotel on anything. We had a great holiday and would not hesitate in recommending this hotel to anyone.

Lovely picturesque location. The hotel has a small exclusive beach area which is all pebbles so come with water shoes! The is a courtesy bus into Sorrento but 200mts gets you to the public bus which runs every 15mins and only Cody’s 2.€. The hotel at one time must have been class but unfortunately it is now starting to show its age and do well to be refurbished. The drink is pricey and to be charged 4€ to have water with your meal i think is a bit of a rip off. The meals and service is very very disappointing, breakfast was diabolical, everything was cold the drinks machines served look warm tea/ coffee the quality of everything was poor. There was one chap cooking omelettes on a portable gas ring which took about 5 mins to cook one! My wife was eating a piece of cake and wasn’t at all surprised when she noticed a lot of mole on the base. We took the cake to reception but we are still waiting for an apology. Check your bill on leaving as we were charged for a lunch that we shouldn’t have been!

Lovely hotel, right on the sea. The decor was lovely and the staff were all very helpful and friendly. There was a good choice of food for breakfast and dinner, absolutely not just bananas and chips for breakfast as one reviewer stated?! Breakfasts have all the usual options, fresh fruit, yoghurts, pastries, bread, toast etc. For the cooked breakfast they have the frankfurter type sausages, but also “real” sausages and bacon. The beans were good quality too. There is a chef making omelettes to order and these were very good. Dinner was very good, lots of choice and variety. We enjoyed the food and the fact that they serve some cooked vegetables cold wasn’t an issue for me. Italy is a much hotter country than the UK, and if I want a piping hot roast dinner I can cook that at home. The shuttle bus was prompt and reliable, we always managed to book it when needed. We went on a few trips from Meta station which was about a 25 minute walk, uphill but not too taxing if you’re in reasonable health. You can also get the public bus to the station or to Sorrento. The stop is just a few minutes away from the hotel. Our room was a double with sea view and balcony in the main building. I would recommend this rather than the annex, although the rooms in there are very nice but the sea view is spectacular. I would have preferred higher partitions for the balcony to give more privacy from the rooms next door, but this didn’t spoil our holiday. There was a good shower and a very comfortable bed. Tea and coffee making facilities were provided and topped up daily. Drinks at dinner or from the bar were quite expensive but that’s the same with many hotels in the area. We had a super holiday, in this beautiful region and were very happy with our choice of hotel.